The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Service

Just before Christmas, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance confirmed that it had experienced its busiest year ever, responding to over 1,620 missions during the previous 12 months and providing 24/7 care via both road-going advanced paramedics and its air ambulance service, which is now flying a greater number of hours than ever thanks to its night-flying capabilities

IN 2022 the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) confirmed that it had experienced its busiest year ever, responding to 1,620 potentially life-saving missions, delivering 24/7 care to patients across Lincolnshire by helicopter and critical care car. It was 30 missions more than the previous year and that number looks to further increase as the charity has expanded to being fully night flying capable.

All impressive achievements, underpinned by the reality that any one of us within the service’s 3,500m2 catchment area, could need the service to ensure the best chance of survival after incidents such as road traffic collisions, cardiac arrests and violent crime.

Since its inception in 1994, the charity has flown more than 27,000 missions and saved the lives of people whose survival depended on the speedy arrival of the service.

Next year, LNAA will celebrate its 30th year and it is putting out the call for anyone who has been helped by the charity in the past to get in touch with their stories or simply to access support.

Patient and Families Lead, Hayley Burton said: “We now have an aftercare service in which we can really help and support people affected by an incident they may have been involved in or are affected by.

Where possible, we also arrange for former patients, their families and friends to come and see the crew, the helicopter and have the opportunity to ask any questions.”

Almost 30 years since the charity’s maiden voyage and with our communities grateful for the service, a few lesser understood facts about the service still persist….

The charity needed £8m to operate last year but with the expansion into night flying and the vision to be by the side of more patients, that figure is set to rise.

Each mission costs on average £4,000 and this is all made possible by the generosity of supporters who leave gifts in their Wills, play the LNAA lottery or make regular donations.

Businesses and organisations are also tirelessly fundraising for the charity all year round.

Think about LNAA and the thing that comes to mind is the familiar sight of the yellow helicopter. But the charity also operates critical care cars in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

These cars carry the same equipment as the helicopter giving the crew the same capabilities across both assets in being able to deliver blood transfusions, intubation or give anaesthetics. >>

Words: Rob Davis. Photo: Air Ambulance pilot Llewis Ingamells, by Electric Egg.